Publisher's Summary

For this rousing, revisionist history, the former head of exhibitions at England's National Maritime Museum has combed original documents and records to produce a most authoritative and definitive account of piracy's "Golden Age." As he explodes many accepted myths (i.e. "walking the plank" is pure fiction), Cordingly replaces them with a truth that is more complex and often bloodier.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes and no. I learned a little from this book, the author seemed to wander from topic to topic and the whole book was loosely tied together.

If you’ve listened to books by David Cordingly before, how does this one compare?

This is the first book buy the author, as I have mentioned it is an ok book, but I never really got the sense of what life was like during this time in history. I was expecting more of a history and fewer "stories"

Have you listened to any of Don Hagen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this was my first time hearing him. He did a great job!

Was Under the Black Flag worth the listening time?

Yes and no. I wanted more information, more facts. The author bounces all over the place. The chapters are loosely connected, and only a few times does he point out that our modern conception of a pirate is very different than what are the facts.

Any additional comments?

Overall not a horrible book, but not what i was looking for.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

notamatopoeia

22/05/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"just the facts"

What did you like best about this story?

I was happy to find a broad history of pirates. Given how hot pirates are in popular culture, it's nice to have a factual background.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would not want to listen to this all in one sitting. It can get a little dry. I broke it up over a period of time.

Any additional comments?

There was a section on punishment that was very gory. My son listed to portions of the book with me, but he could not have listed to this part, and I had a hard time getting through it. I understand its importance, but it was tough to listen to.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Greg Hansen

9/04/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Daydreamer"

If your a daydreamer like me, this is not a book for you. There was very little in it that held my attention. There is constant quoting of other books that makes me think there was very little effort actually put into writing an original book. the author could have saved a lot of time by simply making a list of other books or manuscripts to read. As for the narrator, his voice about put me to sleep. I'll read other reviews more carefully from now on.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Joel Langenfeld

Shoreview, MN United States

2/07/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Lacks Nuance"

Cordingly attempts to lump every sea-borne rogue from the sea-peoples of the ancient Mediterranean to Somali pirates in skiffs into one archetype, then share his reflections on that archetype. He would have been far more effective talking about specific subcultures of "pirates" and not trying to fit them all into one tidy model.

Cordingly also seems to inordinately dependent on a number of works either written by Daniel Defoe, or very closely linked to him. Another major source of research appears to be testimony of suspected pirates in British Admiralty courts. Granted, there is a paucity of primary material available, but both should have been treated with far more circumspection.

The narration was professional.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Beth

20/04/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great read"

Very good read, information was in depth and enjoyable. Each topic concerning the history of pirates was researched and presented in great length.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Donald

New Smyrna Beach, FL, United States

19/11/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Learn the true facts of pirates"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes , the complilation of stories, with explanation, Gave me a deeper understanding of the brutality of a pirates life

What did you like best about this story?

The examination of many of the pirates of the time and clearing of misconseption of ther life - For instance "walking the plank" has only one recording occurance.

Which character – as performed by Don Hagen – was your favorite?

All were great , since it was about many pirates

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The description of the torture , the description made these new films of robots and beasts look tame .

Any additional comments?

A must read for anyone interested in that time period and the Brotherhood of Pirates.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Ky

18/06/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great Book"

Very great information, presented in an interesting. Narrator mispronounces some names but they are Spanish so it's excusable.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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